NASHVILLE — After splitting the regular season series with Texas A&M, Texas basketball needed a win over the rival Aggies to insert themselves back into the NCAA Tournament picture.
Despite being 6.5-point underdogs, it was the Longhorns who nine-point advantage in the first half and took a 33-27 edge into the intermission.
However, Buzz Williams and his Aggies’ club scored eight of the first 11 points of the second half, making it a down to the wire finish.
In the end, it was ___________
PRE-GAME
Yesterday, there were about 14,000 people in attendance for Texas/Vandy. Today, it’s about half of that for Horns/Aggies part three.
Same starting lineup as yesterday as Texas goes with their usual starting five.
FIRST HALF
Defensive intensity is palpable here as A&M is swarming all over the court. Texas has to be able to respond and not get rattled on the offensive end.
Tre Johnson is being guarded by Manny Obaseki and Tre drives tot he bucket for his first hoop of the game.
At the first media timeout, Texas has been able to withstand the early defensive pressure from the Aggies. It’s 7-6 in favor of A&M, but the Horns have had good looks at the hoop.
Julian Larry has had three straight hard drives to the hoop — but comes up empty on each. Wade Taylor goes down on the other end and finds a bucket, but misses the and-1.
Rodney Terry isn’t being shy about making subs as nine Longhorns have seen the floor over the first 12 minutes of the game.
Texas has 10 early points in the paint, which should be an encouraging sign for the Horns. They struggled to get points in the paint in the loss at Reed Arena.
Obaseki has gotten good looks early on and he gets another bucket, giving him seven points in the first half.
Defensive into offense as the steal by Shedrick turns into a fast-break bucket by Devon Pryor.
Horns are on a 6-0 run as Art gets the layup and it should have been a foul after that.
With 3:40 left in the first half, Texas has extended their lead to seven and have a 26-19 advantage. The Longhorns have a major opportunity to close the half strong here.
With 2:20 left in the first half, the Longhorns have held A&M without a field goal over the last 4:40 — the defensive pressure opens up things offensively as Arthur Kaluma drives for the hoop and the and-1. Texas leads 29-20.
At the half, it’s Texas ahead 33-27. Kaluma and Obaseki lead all scorers with seven points each.
Longhorns have a 22-20 edge on the boards. Texas is shooting 40% (14-of-35) from the field while Texas A&M is shooting 33% (9-of-27).
SECOND HALF
We’re underway as Anderson Garcia knocks down a three for A&M to open the second half scoring.
Tramon Mark is fouled and he’ll head to the free throw line for three shots.
A&M guard Hayden Hefner sneaks in for the offensive board and now the Texas lead is cut to two.
Second three of the second half for Garcia makes it a one-point Horns lead.
Timeout on the floor at the 15:58 mark and the Aggies have erased what at one point was a 10-point Texas lead, now leading 40-36. 8-0 run over the last 2:14 combined with a three-minute Texas scoring drought have spearheaded the A&M push.
Chendall Weaver finds his first points of the SEC Tournament as he knocks down a free throw.
Alley from Tre Johnson to Arthur Kaluma ties the game at 40.
Both teams trade buckets with Manny Obaseki finding a three on one end, followed by Tre Johnson hitting from downtown on the other. Obaseki has been a Longhorn killer all season. The Aggies’ guard averages just 6.1 points per game, but has scored in double figures in all three meetings against Texas. He has 10 points with 11:29 left.
Texas has managed to go on a run, scoring seven straight points, which now has the Longhorns ahead 62-55 with 7:37 left.
Tramon Mark picks up his fourth foul on a technical after he made accidental contact with the Aggie defender as he was moving for the ball.
Chendall Weaver appeared to have a steal and a fast break but a late foul call puts Wade Taylor IV at the line and he knocks down both. Texas leads 63-60.
Texas gets back-to-back stops and now the Horns have a chance to make it a seven-point game with under five minutes left.
Tramon Mark checks back in at the 4:15 mark with four fouls.
Chendall Weaver with an out-of-control drive — but in classic fashion, he follows his miss and puts it back for the bucket.
Tre Johnson races back after missing the open three and blocks the Wade Taylor layup, but is called for goaltending. The call will be reviewed, but if it stands — it’s a 67-66 Texas lead with 2:53 left.
